Kyocera Hydro hits Boost Mobile on Aug. 3

Here's a quick heads up that the Kyocera Hydro, the 3.5-inch, submersible (as in dunk it in water) Android phone that we first showed you back in May will be available on Boost Mobile starting Aug. 3. The phone runs $129 and can be kept below the surface for 30 minutes, which is a good bit longer than you'll last, we imagine. It's more of a protection thing than a usability thing -- you won't be making calls under the sea or anything.

On the other hand, it's running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box, which is more than we can say for a good number of landlubbers out there. We've got the full release after the break.

Get Wet and Be Worry-Free This Summer with the Waterproof Kyocera Hydro Android Smartphone from Boost Mobile

IRVINE, Calif. & SAN DIEGO – July 17, 2012 – Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry, makes a splash this summer by unveiling the Kyocera Hydro, the first IPX5- and IPX7-level water-proof Android™-powered smartphone that doesn’t require a contract. Kyocera Hydro is “oops proof,” with innovative technology built to withstand sprayed water like rain (IPX5) or even being submerged in three (3) feet of fresh water for up to 30 minutes* (IPX7).

Boost Mobile and Kyocera recognize that mobile phone accidents happen, but unlike cracked screens or broken keypads that can be replaced, water damage is usually irreversible. In almost all cases, water damage results in nothing more than a good-looking paperweight. According to industry statistics, more than 82.5 million mobile phones nationwide have been destroyed by water or moisture. Water damage also drives more than 20 percent of handset insurance claims during the summer months as consumers look to stay cool and connected by the pool.

Kyocera Hydro will be available starting Aug. 3 for $129.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. The lightweight 3G smartphone, weighing only 4.16 ounces, will be available in select national retail locations later next month.

“With other water-soaked smartphones, consumers instantly move into MacGyver mode attempting to beat the odds with dry rice, Ziploc bags and other home remedies that rarely work,” said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. “With the Kyocera Hydro, consumers can eliminate the panic of water damage and just enjoy their affordable Android-powered smartphone paired with Boost’s award-winning no-contract service with payments that shrink over time.”

Kyocera Hydro is paired with Boost Mobile’s no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile’s Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web, email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

“Kyocera Hydro offers a great value for a sleek, fully featured smartphone – and being waterproof is really the icing on the cake,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of global sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications, Inc. “Wireless devices and water generally are not a good combination, but with Hydro you finally get the peace of mind to know that they can peacefully coexist.”

Features of the Kyocera Hydro include:

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system

1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon® processor

Access to more than 600,000 Android Apps as well as music and movies on Google Play™